Family, kinship and state in contemporary Europe

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In recent years, European policy specialists have reached a consensus on the crucial role of the extended family in social security provision. If this perspective is genuine and not merely a strategy to cut state welfare budgets, it is essential for government officials and social scientists to comprehend the dynamics of familial support and the circumstances under which aid may be withheld. This three-volume collection presents a wealth of historical, sociological, and ethnographic data that explores contemporary kin relationships across Europe, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of various systems and the influence of state policies. Historical and comparative analyses illustrate how political and economic changes affect kinship networks, examining factors such as marriage, cohabitation, divorce rates, declining fertility, and aging populations. The studies reveal significant regional differences in family models and underscore how emerging partnership forms, decreasing birth rates, and societal aging are reshaping family dynamics and their role in social security. The first volume focuses on the history of family in 20th-century Europe, closely linked to the expansion and challenges faced by the welfare state.